Staying at BoardWalk Villas, do I need a rental car?

[DaviVascaino]

some Background info:

We will be staying 7 nights at Boardwalk Villa. We rented DVC points. We are a family of 4: 2 adults and 2 boys. We will be taking a double stroller and 2 large bags (probably one carry on).
I understand if you stay at Villas, you get free parking at the hotel and parks.

I also understand that I can just walk to HS and Epcot, but we would need to get a Bus to AK and MK (I heard you need to line up for the buses 90 minutes BEFORE EPE. that is really throwing me off, too early for my kids).

We don't plan to go anywhere other than Disney springs and WDW.

Do you think Renting a car would be worth it? I would spend probably $250 with transportation round trip from and to airport if I go MEARS or ride share.
if I rent, and go to MK driving, I still need to park far away and get the monorail or boat right?

PRos of renting: I can go to MK and AK at my time, don't have to line up super early for the bus. Also, some independence. I can get an SUV and don't worry about luggage space for stroller and bags
Cons: will have to get the boat or monorail for EPE. Might be more expensive than going MEARS or uber (specially if I am renting for one week).

Any insights? thank you

 

[SteveH]

I can't say I've heard about lining up 90 minutes early, but the downside to driving to MK is you drive to TTC, walk or tram and catch a monorail or ferry over to MK, so the bus is a straight shot without the need to crowd surf after from TTC.

But only you can decide what is best for you and your family.

 

[DaviVascaino]

I can't say I've heard about lining up 90 minutes early, but the downside to driving to MK is you drive to TTC, walk or tram and catch a monorail or ferry over to MK, so the bus is a straight shot without the need to crowd surf after from TTC.

But only you can decide what is best for you and your family.

have you stayed at BWV? I saw the 90 min rule on the pinned thread. I think it might be an overkill for a smaller resort like BWV. not sure.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I heard you need to line up for the buses 90 minutes BEFORE EPE.

No.

To the rest of your question, even when renting a car, it's never really a good idea to drive to Magic Kingdom. So really you'd only be renting a car for DAK.

(I'm also not as high on the walk from Boardwalk to Hollywood Studios as some people. It's long, hot, and ugly.)

 

[SteveH]

@DaviVascaino I've not, but do check the date on that post and see if that is current or not, info over past 2 or beyond that can be out of date based on current status. I generally stay next door at Swan/Dolphin but with the current change some guests have jumped over to hop on the MK bus at BW and no reports of waits that along, in face all I've read is maybe one bus wait but generally another is right behind.

 

[DaviVascaino]

yeah, thank you for the input. will be getting MEars connect.

 

[kanerf]

The bus pavilion is very close to the MK gates and an easy walk. The only time you might want a rental car at WDW is to go shopping or eating off-site. It is no problem to get around the park areas without a car.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The bus pavilion is very close to the MK gates and an easy walk. The only time you might want a rental car at WDW is to go shopping or eating off-site. It is no problem to get around the park areas without a car.

I generally agree, but bus service can get pretty slow midday. At park opening, buses are running a high frequency but there can be long waits if you're trying to get back to the room for a break after lunch. It's still not what I'd consider "difficult," but it can be frustrating to wait a long time if you're trying to get a little one down for a nap or something like that.

 

[DaviVascaino]

I generally agree, but bus service can get pretty slow midday. At park opening, buses are running a high frequency but there can be long waits if you're trying to get back to the room for a break after lunch. It's still not what I'd consider "difficult," but it can be frustrating to wait a long time if you're trying to get a little one down for a nap or something like that.

ok, another point is that we do not plan to go back to resort midday. it would be leaving for EPE and coming back end of the night.

if the park opens 830 AM (EPE), maybe lining up 730-745 should be enough? I heard BWV has their own bus,so I assume not very crowded and not many stops

 

[MainMom]

ok, another point is that we do not plan to go back to resort midday. it would be leaving for EPE and coming back end of the night.

if the park opens 830 AM (EPE), maybe lining up 730-745 should be enough? I heard BWV has their own bus,so I assume not very crowded and not many stops

It can be crowded in the morning, but we did not have extra stops. I stayed at BWV in 2017 & 2019. Something else to note, guests at Swan and dolphin sometimes walk to BWV & take the bus from there because S&D buses now drop at TTC. Love the BWV & the Boardwalk. One of our favorite places to stay. Have a great trip.

 

[legler2250]

If it helps at all I'm an owner at BWV and have not once used my car while there for any week long vacation. Not only will it be a cost savings for not having to rent one, it also just adds a bit of complexity to your trip. Also it might be enjoyable when taking a vacation to give up the idea of driving for a week as even this little task might shift you out of a fully immersive vacation mindset. Once you yield a little bit of control to the sometimes arbitrary/random nature of the bus schedule it can be liberating. All of us are different so this is just a perspective =)

 

[CaptainAmerica]

If it helps at all I'm an owner at BWV and have not once used my car while there for any week long vacation. Not only will it be a cost savings for not having to rent one, it also just adds a bit of complexity to your trip. Also it might be enjoyable when taking a vacation to give up the idea of driving for a week as even this little task might shift you out of a fully immersive vacation mindset. Once you yield a little bit of control to the sometimes arbitrary/random nature of the bus schedule it can be liberating. All of us are different so this is just a perspective =)

It's also worth pointing out that the parking kind of stinks. It's a big central lot connected to a resort that's one giant building. It's not like you can park right outside your front door like at Old Key West.

 

[Lewisc]

Run the numbers If the rental cost is about the same as a car service rent the car. Pre Covid it would be a no.brainer.

Car is better then buses for DS. At least once you might use a car to eat offsite or to pick something up.

 

[CarolynFH]

I also understand that I can just walk to HS and Epcot, but we would need to get a Bus to AK and MK (I heard you need to line up for the buses 90 minutes BEFORE EPE. that is really throwing me off, too early for my kids).

The reason for that recommendation is so as not to miss the first bus to the given park, which will probably come around an hour before the park opens but could come 10 or 15 minutes earlier.

 

[georgina]

To give a contrary opinion, we usually have a rental car and always drive to the MK. We hate the Disney buses and prefer the car. Have stayed at BWV and the parking is really not that bad to us.

 

[DeeBee3]

Boardwalk is a great location and I have kids with a stroller too. We did not have issues with the buses to MK or AK. The boats to HS or walking to Epcot is amazing. I would not rent a car for some of the reasons stated above.

 

[DaviVascaino]

Boardwalk is a great location and I have kids with a stroller too. We did not have issues with the buses to MK or AK. The boats to HS or walking to Epcot is amazing. I would not rent a car for some of the reasons stated above.

So the buses don't take that long to MK or AK?

 

[Toolulu22]

Run the numbers If the rental cost is about the same as a car service rent the car. Pre Covid it would be a no.brainer.

Car is better then buses for DS. At least once you might use a car to eat offsite or to pick something up.

While not inexpensive, we always get a car. We stop to get groceries (to cook in the Villa), like to spontaneously be able to go to the store or a restaurant outside of Disney, and be in control of when we leave a place. A car is more comfortable than the bus/monorail etc. Now that Magical Express is gone, I don’t think I’ll be able to convince my husband not to rent one if I couldn’t before.

Parking in the lot isn’t terrible. As a matter of fact, depending on where your room is, you may feel as though your walk to your room is the journey.

Boardwalk is a great location and I agree with PP that the walk to HS is long and I would probably choose a different form of transportation there like the boat. We drive from there to MK and AK, but don’t have 2 small children in strollers to consider - not sure about navigating from car to park.

 

[DeeBee3]

I would say the buses are highly dependent on time of year and crowds. I was there in August 2021 and didn't have a problem. However, it is spring break now so I would already factor in more time.

I have been a handful of times and all with kids. Never rented a car and never missed it. However, I like not having to worry about parking in the MK lot and then getting a tram to the TTC before getting on a ferry or monorail. To me that sounds like a lot. I think MK is the only park I would have an issue with parking.

We also travel light - stroller and backpack. I usually have a purse or small backpack too.

 

[DaviVascaino]

I would say the buses are highly dependent on time of year and crowds. I was there in August 2021 and didn't have a problem. However, it is spring break now so I would already factor in more time.

I have been a handful of times and all with kids. Never rented a car and never missed it. However, I like not having to worry about parking in the MK lot and then getting a tram to the TTC before getting on a ferry or monorail. To me that sounds like a lot. I think MK is the only park I would have an issue with parking.

We also travel light - stroller and backpack. I usually have a purse or small backpack too.

whenyou were there in Aug 2021, how long was the waiting time for the bus and it would go directly to MK or make any other stops?